New computer 700 dollar budget

HellMuT

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Jan 12, 2009
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So I'm trying to build a new computer for the first time, since my current computer is around 6-7 years old and can't run anything new anymore. I'm one of those poor college students, but I'm trying to find a computer that can probably last at least 5 years, and is probably easily upgradable. My old one runs on AGP still. Right now the one I have planned is around $930 with shipping and tax. Should I bother getting a Q6600? Or just stick with a duo core? I can probably keep it around $800, but its preferable in the 700 range. Thanks for any help in advance.

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS120-04 $23.99


Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $59.95


Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $64.99


SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card $149.99


CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply $68.99


G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL4D-4GBPI-B $49.99


GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard $99.99


Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 $189.99


Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders $99.99


ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler $29.00
 
You could save yourself about $70 if you changed to this case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156135
It comes with about the same size power supply. I have this case and it's been perfect! Unless you are playing hardcore games, you should go with a dual core, E8500 is about the same price and will outperform the q6600 for most everything. Tom's has benchmarks comparing them, I'd probably even take the E8400 over the quad. That's a good choice for a board.
I would strongly recommend against the seagate. WD is by far the best quality for HD. For about $10 more, you can get this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218
Those would be my recommendations.....hope it helps
 

turboflame

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Aug 6, 2006
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I'd swap the HDD for the new 7200.12 Seagate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148377

It's the first single platter 500GB drive. The 7200.11 you picked out uses 2 250GB platters and the WD recommended uses 2 320GB platters.

Generally less platters means less moving parts so there are less things that can go wrong. It also means lower temperatures and less power consumption. Higher data density means better performance.

For the CPU it depends on what you're doing, if it's just gaming then the dual core would probably be better. If you're using programs that benefit from more cores then definitely go for the quad.



It sure is fanboy around here.



I wouldn't trust a free Raidmax PSU with even a minimal build. The Corsair is far superior, there's more to power supplies than the wattage.
 

col-p-todd

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Feb 1, 2006
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You have ha nice build there, not sure if you want to oc your pc but if not and you could spend another 50 i would recommend a Q9300.

stick with the case and psu you have picked out those cheap cases and psu are really not good quality.

as for the hard drive overal WD is one of the better hd's for sure, but you can't go wrong with a seagate. but if i had to recommend on it would be the WD 640GB Black.

haven't heard anything about a hd with 1 500gb platter as turboflame said, you would have to look into that but if that is so i would also recommend it over the hd you have picked out (less platters is better).